Nowell:

"I think you did the world fair justice."  

That means a lot.  Thank you.

"Oh, Ed."  

Yes, that pretty much ripped my heart out and stomped on it.  

I felt like the ending needed to do justice to that moment -- somehow.  Once I backed up to Digger and Boneclaw Mother together in that room, and remembered that Grim Eyes was still outside standing guard, everything flowed from there.  Interestingly, I wrote it the week before the story ended.

Great to see you still here!  For how long have you been following Digger?

otzi:

I'm honored.

Yes, I know what you mean: you don't want to spoil the party by yelling "Wait, what the fuck?"  So I channeled my energy into writing instead.

I agree with you: I figured Grim Eyes had to have known...which made the whole situation that much more complicated and tragic.

JS

PS: Thanks to both of you for the vote of confidence.  Writing fan fiction is much like peeing your pants: it gives you a warm feeling, but no one else cares.  I know how many page views I've had (lots), and that almost everyone who started the story finished it -- but it makes a difference to know that I've honored Ursula's world, not just screwed around in it.

Professor:

I wish it was available as a physical book so I could quote "Prof. Godel Fishbreath" on the cover!

Seriously: thanks for letting me know. I finally got to say goodbye to Ed...and I'm glad that means something to others, too.

JS

Lica:

You're welcome. Thanks for letting me know.

I'm glad to know that people are still reading Digger, and still reading my work.

I'm glad that the ending added to the story as written, and that it gave you closure.

But really, I did it for Ed.  I think I did the right thing by telling his story.  At least I hope so.

JS

Ron:

"You left me with some mist in the eyes."

Thank you. That means I was able to communicate some part of what it meant to me when I was writing it. Or, more properly, recounting it: when I write my best work, I feel like I'm remembering something that's already happened.

In this case, Digger's reaction at that point didn't ring true for me. She cared too much for Ed, and I simply couldn't imagine her passively accepting Boneclaw Mother's weak circumlocutions...which didn't ring true to me either, given Boneclaw Mother's previous sorrow.

So I started writing, having no idea what "actually" happened -- and ended up quickly with Parts 1 and 2.

Probable Spoiler Alert

I wasn't sure about Ed in Part 3, either, when I began writing: that part came a week or so later, after the story had ended. However, it flowed straight onto the page, just like Parts 1 and 2, even the complicated stuff -- which all fit perfectly with what the lizards and Mirai had said earlier.

In Ed's words:

“No, Digger-mousie. Is not remembering. Is newborn cub. Is living, making own choosings, own rememberings.”
Digger nodded doubtfully. “If you say so, Ed.”
“Is not He-Is. Is Skin Painter, is nameless, is Ed. Now, is remembering He-Is. Is still Ed.”

And otherwise, who or what is the kingfisher?

Thank you for sharing. I'm glad Digger is still being (re)read, and I'm glad I've been able to add to Ursula's great work in some way.

JS